How to Reach Bharatpur

Bharatpur is named after Ram’s younger brother, Bharat. Mythologically, Bharatpur’s history dates back to the 5th century B.C. These lands fell under the powerful Matsya kingdom who were on the side of the Pandavas during the epic battle of Mahabharata.

Till the early 1700s, Bharatpur was ruled by Khemkaran, a local chieftain. Maharaja Suraj Mal attacked Bharatpur Fort and was successful in battle. Most of the historical locations that pepper Bharatpur were commissioned by him. The fort and palaces here are a thing of beauty and hark back to a glorious history.

Besides the historical attractions, most travellers visit Bharatpur to explore the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best birdwatching destinations in Rajasthan. A good monsoon season sees close 400 species of birds land up here October onwards. The park is spread over a meagre 29 sq. km. but you get to witness the avian guests in their natural glory. Herons, egrets, storks, moorhens, cormorants, and many more, can be spotted here.

If you’re visiting in February, the pre-Holi Brij Festival will show you another side of Bharatpur. Don’t miss out on the traditional raslila performance—a theatrical dance and music show centred around Krishna and Radha’s courtship.

Planning on how to reach Bharatpur is pretty simple. All you need to ensure is that your travel bookings are done in advance.

1.By Air:

The closest domestic airport to Bharatpur is Agra Airport (AGR). The journey from Agra airport to Bharatpur is a cool 1 hour 20 minutes.

International tourists can either fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi or Jaipur Airport. From there, a 4 hour car journey will see you land up in Bharatpur.

2.By Train:

The Bharatpur Junction Railway Station is an important station in the West Central railway zone. This means there are a bunch of trains to and from Bharatpur. For the budget-conscious traveller, a train journey from Delhi will not be longer than 3 hours. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a mere 5kms from the railway station.

3.By Road:

RSRTC runs a number of AC and non-AC buses from all the major Rajasthan cities to Bharatpur. The roads are well paved making for a delightful journey and a bus trip is a great way to really get a feel of local Rajasthan.

A road trip from Agra will take you along Bichpuri Road and you will reach Bharatpur in 60 minutes. If you’re travelling from Alwar to Bharatpur by road, it’s a lovely 2 hour journey. Bus routes in Rajasthan run like clockwork and you can have a great time, and save some money in the bargain!

How to reach Bharatpur is as easy as it looks. If you’re travelling during the peak tourist season, make sure you book your tickets well in advance. Keep an eye out for touts who try and sell you bus/rail tickets outside depots and railway stations. Most of the time these individuals are out to con you. while booking tickets, always trust a travel agency approved by the tourist department.